KFC Launches ‘Nashville Hot Chicken’ Nationwide

KFC is trying to put their own spin on a Music City staple with the highly-debated nationwide release of their “Nashville Hot Chicken” this week.

The company began serving up the extra-spicy chicken at select stores across the country in late 2015. After getting positive reviews, KFC announced that all stores in the U.S. will serve their “hot chicken” beginning Jan. 18. According to Time, the product is available as individual pieces or as a sandwich, which is topped with a pickle and served with coleslaw and a biscuit.

For the past two weeks, KFC has been parading their new product across the country through a specially-designed food truck. The mobile kitchen stopped in every town called Nashville – except for one. Although the truck visited the towns of Nashville in Illinois, Ohio and North Carolina, they somehow forgot to stop in Tennessee.

Many speculate that the reason why KFC decided not to visit the city that the product is named after is due to the criticism that many longtime Nashville residents have directed at their product. “Hot chicken” is a Nashville staple, which has been served by local eateries for decades. The insanely spicy dish is one is hard to recreate, and stands as one of the city’s most beloved cultural contributions.

Although KFC’s toned-down version will still likely pack a punch, true chicken connoisseurs should still make the trek to Tennessee to experience the delicious – and slightly painful – glory of true hot chicken.